AN increase in sexually transmitted diseases is being tackled by a new centre at Leighton Hospital.

The purpose-built £1.25m facility, which opened last week, has its own reception and waiting area, soundproofed consulting and treatment rooms, a health adviser room and a pathology laboratory service.

Consideration has been given to all aspects of patient care, including dedicated patient record facilities, a play area and baby changing facilities.

Moira Grobicki, acting manager for the Centre for Sexual Health, said: 'It is an exciting time because we have a fantastic, state-of-the-art facility that is three times the size of our old base. Both staff and patients have commented on how much the move is welcomed.

'We hope the centre will take some of the stigma away from sexual health for our patients. Sexual health as a whole is still seen as something people do not talk about. Our message to people is to look after yourself, limit the number of sexual partners you have and to have the confidence to insist on using protection.'

Nationally, the number of visits to sexual health departments has doubled over the last decade to more than a million per year. In the Central Cheshire area, which covers Mid and South Cheshire, there were more than 7,000 hospital visits last year, compared with 3,800 in 1997. Among the most common sexual infections locally is Chlamydia, with between 10-15% of people testing positive for the infection.

In response to the increased demand on their services, the sexual health team has already introduced nurse-led clinics and screening patients aged 25 and under for chlamydia. A family planning service is also planned, along with counselling services from voluntary group Body Positive, for patients with HIV. nLeighton Hospital's £12.5m NHS Treatment Centre (TC) opens on Monday.

Fully funded and run by the NHS, the TC will treat up to 20,000 patients a year, promising rapid access to safe, high quality care across a range of medical specialities including general surgery, ophthalmology, urology and gynaecology. Patients will be offered an appointment time to suit them and can go home on the same day as their operation, test or procedure.

The state-of-the-art facility will include four day case theatres, four endoscopy rooms and a minor treatment room, all equipped with the most modern technology.

There is also a pre-operative assessment area, together with private consultation rooms, a three-stage recovery area, in house pharmacy and a restaurant, as well as a dedicated parking area.